Minor NFL Transactions: 6/4/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: WR Mose Frazier
Chicago Bears
- Waived: OL Tommy Doles
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Nico Siragusa
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DL Lyndon Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: CB Tyler Horton
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Keion Adams
- Waived/Injured: OLB Jeremiah Harris
Poll: Which Team’s New QB Will Have Best Season?
While this offseason did not bring quite the same level of quarterback movement 2018’s did, a handful of teams will deploy new starters. Draft choices, trade acquisitions and free agent signings will be given the keys to offenses that struggled last season.
The Broncos, Cardinals, Dolphins, Jaguars and Redskins made moves to fortify their quarterback jobs. Which team’s investment will work out best?
Denver will use a different starting quarterback for the third straight year. Joe Flacco is set to be the Broncos’ fourth starter since Peyton Manning‘s retirement. While his QBR figure (58.7) was better than any the former Ravens starter had posted since a quality 2014 season, Flacco still ranked 20th in that metric last season. Having never made a Pro Bowl and fresh off back-to-back years featuring injury trouble, with a back problem limiting him during the 2017 offseason and a hip injury beginning the Lamar Jackson era, the 34-year-old starter will try to revive his career in Denver. Flacco, though, is the most accomplished quarterback the Broncos have employed since Manning.
The other surefire veteran starter acquired this year, Foles will have his first chance to be a team’s unquestioned first-stringer since 2015. The 30-year-old flourished in his second Philadelphia stint, submitting an all-time postseason run in 2017 and helping the Eagles back to the playoffs last season. A 2013 Pro Bowler, Foles will take over a Jaguars team that does not possess the kind of aerial weaponry recent Eagles rosters did. Jacksonville is in line to have Marqise Lee back from a torn ACL, but the team’s wideouts and tight ends will place additional emphasis on Foles living up to his contract. With the Rams in 2015, Foles threw seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions before being benched.
Kyler Murray represents the other locked-in starter added this offseason. The electric one-year Oklahoma starter accomplished about as much as a college passer can in a single season, turning in Division I-FBS’ second-ever 4,000-1,000 season en route to Heisman Trophy honors. Working with Kliff Kingsbury, Larry Fitzgerald and a host of young wide receivers, Murray is the centerpiece of one of the most daring experiments an NFL team has attempted.
The Cardinals turned the keys over to a sub-.500 college coach and a 5-foot-10 signal-caller — the first sub-6-foot passer to be chosen in Round 1. Arizona trotted out the league’s worst scoring and total offense last season, however, and sported a skeleton-crew offensive line by year’s end. The Cards added new starters Marcus Gilbert and J.R. Sweezy up front. Due to the lack of precedent behind this move, it is hard to tell how Murray will fare. But the unique talent has opened as Las Vegas’ offensive rookie of the year favorite.
Washington and Miami have not committed to a starting quarterback yet, but it is fairly safe to project Dwayne Haskins and Josh Rosen will see extensive time. While Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick could log starts, with the latter possibly even on track to do so, the Redskins have liked what their first-round pick has done so far and the Dolphins will need to see Rosen in games to help determine if they will consider a first-round QB in 2020. On the heels of a 50-touchdown pass season, the Ohio State product sits second in offensive rookie of the year odds. Although only eight passers have won this award since 1957, seven such instances have occurred since 2004.
Both Daniel Jones and Drew Lock could factor into their respective teams’ mixes later in the season. Of the 13 first-round QBs taken over the past four years, only Patrick Mahomes and Paxton Lynch were not promoted to the starting role as rookies. (Though, Eli Manning is not your typical stopgap.) Lock was projected by most as a first-rounder, and Flacco ceded his role to the No. 32 overall pick last year. So the 12th-year veteran’s grip on Denver’s job should be considered tenuous.
Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
New Poll
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Nick Foles 28% (407)
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Joe Flacco 24% (348)
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Kyler Murray 14% (196)
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Dwayne Haskins 14% (194)
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Josh Rosen 11% (151)
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Ryan Fitzpatrick 3% (44)
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Daniel Jones 2% (32)
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Drew Lock 2% (31)
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Case Keenum 2% (26)
Total votes: 1,429
Latest On LB Blair Brown Arrest
Earlier this week it was reported former Jaguars linebacker Blair Brown was arrested on charges of domestic violence. He is being accused of pointing a gun at a women and threatening to kill her, ESPN’s Michael DiRocco writes. 
In the report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the woman said Brown pushed her to the ground, kicked her in the abdomen and punched her in the face during an argument in late April. A warrant was issued on May 23 for his arrest and he turned himself into the sheriff’s office on Wednesday.
The argument reportedly started at a local bar and continued once they arrived home separately. After kicking and punching her, Brown, according to the report, removed two guns from a safe in the garage before she locked the door behind him. Brown later threatened to kill her and another person in the house.
The other person in the house said they did not see any physical altercation because they were in another room, but later saw the woman with blood on her mouth and a cut on Brown’s hand. The witness did not see Brown point the gun at the victor and did not hear him say he was going to kill her. That person did say, Brown responded with, “I wish I could,” when asked if he was going to kill her.
Earlier this month, the Jaguars released Brown, who was drafted by the team in the fifth round in 2017. In two years with the team, the Ohio University product appeared in 28 games, starting two, and registered 12 tackles and 0.5 sack.
Jaguars To Sign Terrelle Pryor
The Jaguars are expected to sign wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Pryor worked out for the Jags on Wednesday and they were quick to make an offer. 
Pryor has an opportunity to regain his footing in Jacksonville, where the wide receiver group is headlined by the likes of Keelan Cole, Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, and Chris Conley. His history with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo also helps – DeFilippo was the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2015, the first year of Pryor’s wide receiver experiment. When DeFilippo left for the Eagles the following year, Pryor exploded for 77 catches, 1,007 yards, and four touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Pryor has not replicated that production over the last two years. In 2017, he joined the Redskins after that on a one-year contract, but he finished out with a 20/240/1 stat line. Last year, he split time with the Jets and Bills and had just 16 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries have been a roadblock for Pryor, but there’s reason to believe that he can be a difference-maker if healthy.
Jaguars Work Out Terrelle Pryor
The Jaguars will work out free agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor on Wednesday, sources tell NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Pryor spent time with the Bills and Jets last year but finished out with just 16 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.
The former Ohio State quarterback broke out in 2016 with the Browns, tallying 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. He joined the Redskins after that on a one-year contract, but was unable to take advantage of the platform deal. His 2017 season ended with a 20/240/1 stat line.
It’s fair to wonder whether injuries continued to hamper Pryor’s production last year. The Jets released Pryor in October while he was dealing with a groin strain. Days later, he declared himself to be close to 100% healthy, but he didn’t look all that sharp with the Bills. The 29-year-old (30 in June) had a couple of solid performances with the Jets in the fall, so there’s still reason to believe that Pryor can be a difference maker in the NFL.
The Jaguars’ wide receiver group currently features Keelan Cole, Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, and Chris Conley.
Jaguars Sign Josh Allen
The Jaguars have officially signed first-round pick Josh Allen. With the outside linebacker in the fold, the Jaguars now have all but one player in their 2019 draft class wrapped up. 
“It feels good to focus on football now, and just worry about football – and not worry about anything off the field,” the No. 7 overall pick said. “I know everything’s settled in now. I’m ready for my family to get down here, and be a Jacksonville Jaguar for life. I’m just ready to make a name for myself in the National Football League. It’s official. I’m officially a Jaguar. It feels great.”
The Kentucky product was widely projected to be off the board before Jacksonville took the podium, but the Jags got a couple of lucky breaks, including the Giants’ surprising decision to take Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at No. 6 overall.
Allen joins right tackle Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, No. 35 overall), tight end Josh Oliver (Round 3, No. 69), running back Ryquell Armstead (Round 5, No. 140), quarterback Gardner Minshew (Round 6, No. 178), and defensive tackle Dontavius Russell (Round 7, No. 235) as the Jags’ draft picks under contract. Third-round linebacker Quincy Williams stands as the last remaining straggler.
Latest On Telvin Smith
Telvin Smith‘s announcement that he would spend the 2019 season away from football was one of the more surprising developments in recent years. Smith is only 28, and no one seems to be sure exactly what happened or why. That apparently includes the Jaguars, as the team has yet to have any “one-on-one communication with him” since his announcement, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. The 2017 Pro Bowler had just said a couple of days before that he wanted to stay with the Jaguars, which followed a rocky offseason between the two sides which included trade rumors.
Breer also notes that those trade rumors might not be dead quite yet. Breer says he knows of teams that were interested in trading for the linebacker before the draft, and that those teams “are keenly monitoring the situation” as it unfolds. It wouldn’t be totally shocking if a trade materializes at some point. Smith has started 60 out of a possible 64 games for the Jaguars the past four seasons, and he’s had multiple interceptions in each of the past three campaigns.
- Speaking of Smith, Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone emphasized he wasn’t thinking about football when it came to his player, per the team’s official site. “For me, I kind of put football to the side,” Marrone said. “That, to me, is an afterthought right now in concern with Telvin.” He continued, saying “I really believe in my heart that Telvin knows that we’re here to support him in any which way. Not just myself, but the coaches, the organization, his teammates. I’m sure he’s aware of that. All we can do is make sure we pray. He knows that if he needs some support, obviously we’re here for him.” Marrone also said the team would welcome him back if he chooses to return.
Jaguars Work Out RB Mike Gillislee
The Jaguars worked out free agent Mike Gillislee on Thursday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Jags were one of five teams that tried to sign the running back last year and they could be on the verge of adding him for 2019. 
Gillislee enjoyed a breakout season in 2016 as he averaged 5.7 yards per carry on 101 handoffs with the Bills. In the following offseason, the Pats signed him to a two-year, $6.4MM deal, but he didn’t get a ton of opportunities in 2017, outside of his three-touchdown performance in Week 1.
After missing New England’s cut in 2018 – and garnering interest from the Jaguars, Lions, and other clubs – Gillislee hooked on with the Saints. He averaged just 2.7 yards in the first four games of the year and was pushed aside after Mark Ingram returned from suspension.
The Jaguars used a fifth-round pick to select Temple running back Ryquell Armstead, but they’re still on the lookout for help behind starter Leonard Fournette. Insurance for the 24-year-old is key after he missed half of the 2018 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WRs Tom Kennedy, Jordan Smallwood
- Waived: TEs Nate Becker, Donald Parham
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Charles Jones, CB Jocquez Kalili, TE Michael Colubiale
- Waived: TE Carson Meier, CB Marquez Sanford, WR Papi White
- Waived/injured: S Cody Brown, DT Roderick Young
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S D’Cota Dixon
Kennedy is an interesting story, as he was taken in the third round of last year’s Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Boston Cannons, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. He appeared in six games for the Cannons while also suiting up at wide receiver for Bryant University. Despite only playing two years of football at Bryant, Kennedy is eighth in school history in catches and receiving yards, and he posted 57 receptions for 888 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017. He missed four games due to injury in 2018, but he still finished with 33 catches for 410 yards and a touchdown.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/19
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Tony Brooks-James (Oregon)
- Waived/injured: RB Jeremy Langford
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Josh Moon (Georgia Southern), OL Jordan Agasiva (Utah)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Spencer Schnell (Illinois State), DE David Kenney, OL Riley Mayfield (North Texas)
With the exception of Kenney, all players signed were undrafted rookies who were inked to deals after participating in their respective teams’ rookie minicamps. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network tweeted a cool story about Schnell, who’s late father Dave briefly played for the Bills. Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets that Schnell was impressive during minicamp, and that he’ll “get a look” returning kicks in addition to his receiving work.
Langford initially looked promising after entering the league as a fourth round pick of the Bears back in 2015. He opened the 2016 season as Chicago’s starting running back, but he’s struggled with injuries and turned into a journeyman ever since. Drafted only a few years ago, the Falcons were already the fifth stop of his career. He only appeared in one game for the Falcons last year, rushing nine times for 25 yards.